Apparatus for manipulating labels or the like

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for transferring labels from a magazine containing one or more labels to an injection-molding machine for synthetic plastic material comprises a carriage which can move the magazine in a horizontal plane into registry with a suction head movable up and down by a double-acting cylinder. The suction head removes from the magazine one label at a time and transfers it into the injection-molding machine when the carriage reassumes its starting position. The suction head is tiltable or otherwise movable with reference to the cylinder so that it can orient labels in an optimum position for application to the male or female die of the injection-molding machine.

inventors Hans J. Langenohl Ludenscheld; Manfred Oleschinsky, Werdohl; Giinther Stockmann, 'Haselhorn, all of, Germany App]. No. 829,164 Filed May 29, 1969 Patented Aug. 31, 197] Assignee Dr. lng. Fritz Sommer NACHF Ludenscheid, Germany Priority May 29, 1968 Germany P 17 78 732.5

APPARATUS FOR MANLPULATING LABELS OR THE LIKE [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 969,103 8/1910 Hayes .1 271/24 2,396,988 3/1946 Cutler 271/32 Primary Examiner]oseph Wegbreit Attorney-Michael S. Striker ABSTRACT: Apparatus for transferring labels from a magazine'containing one or more labels to an injection-molding machine for synthetic plastic material comprises a carriage which can move the magazine in a horizontal plane into registry with a suction head movable up and down by a double-acting cylinder. The suction head removes from the magazine one label at a time and transfers it into the injection-molding machine when the carriage reassumes its starting position. The suction head is tiltable or otherwise movable with reference to the cylinder so that it can orient labels in an optimum position for application to the male or female die of the injection-molding machine.

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APPARATUS FOR MANIPULATING LABELS OR THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to apparatus for manipulating labels or the like. More particularly, the invention relates to apparatus for automatically transporting labels or like articles from a source to a consuming machine, for example, to the male or female die of an injection-molding machine for synthetic plastic material. Still more particularly, the invention relates to improvements in apparatus which are especially suited for transporting and otherwise manipulating substantially flat, sheetlike articles provided with information which is impressed into or imprinted on their surfaces.

At the present time, labels or like sheetlike articles are inserted into the mold of an injection-molding machine by hand. Such articles can serve a purely decorative purpose and/or as carriers of information pertaining to the use, dimensions or other characteristics of injection-molded articles. The same holds true for insertion of other types of articles into the cavity of a mold, for example, for insertion of bearing sleeves into the cavity of an injection-molding machine wherein the sleeves are thereupon integrally connected with or incorporated in plastic products. Manual introduction of labels, sleeves or like inserts into the cavity of an injection-molding machine is time consuming and, therefore, the inserts are introduced into the cavity only when the added cost is warranted because the inserts contribute significantly to the sales appeal or to other desirable characteristics of plastic products.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for automatic introduction of inserts into the cavity of an injectionmolding or an analogous machine for the mass production of plastic products in such a way that the inserts can be introduced at frequent intervals, without any assistance on the part of operators, and with a high degree of precision so that the insert in or on each of a series of injection-molded products is in the same position as the inserts on other products.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which is particularly suited for manipulation of labels consisting of paper, metallic foil or synthetic plastic material.

A further object of the invention is to provide the apparatus with novel means for removing, holding, transporting and inserting labels or like articles in such a way that the articles can be readily separated from a stack and that they can be made to adhere to a die or the like in an optimum position for incorporation in an injection-molded product.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which can transport labels between a source and an external surface or an internal surface and which can subject labels to a deforming treatment in the course of transfer from the source to the injection-molding machine.

An ancillary object of the invention is to provide the apparatus with means for manipulating labels or the like at desired intervals, for moving labels or the like along straight and/or arcuate paths, and to design the apparatus in such a way that it can be readily converted for manipulation of larger, smaller, stiffer, readily flexible, plain, multicolored and/or oddly configurated labels or the like.

The apparatus of our invention serves to manipulate discrete articles (such as labels, sleeves, rings or the like), particularly to introduce such articles into machines for the production of shaped synthetic plastic products. It comprises a carriage, means for moving the carriage between several positions, a source of articles supported by the carriage, a transfer device including an article-engaging member which is aligned with the source in one position of the carriage, displacing means for moving the member with reference to the carriage so that the member can remove articles from the source in the one position of the carriage, and receiving means (e.g., a porthe invention are set forth in particular in the appended I claims.

The improved apparatus itself, however, both as to its construction and its mode of operation, together with additional features and advantages thereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the following detailed description of certain specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an apparatus which is utilized to transfer labels froma stack to the male die of an injection-molding machine;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view as seen from the right-hand side of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a second apparatus which I is designed to insert rolled labels into the cavity of the female die in an injection-molding machine;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the second apparatus as seen from the right-hand side of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5a is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a draping device in the apparatus of FIG. 3, with a draping apron shown in a first position;

FIG. 5b is a similar sectional view but showing the apron in a second position;

FIG. 50 illustrates the structure of FIG. 50 but with the apron in still another position;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged elevational view of a suction head in the apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an axial sectional view as seen in the direction of arrows from the line VH-Vll of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a transverse sectional view as seen in the direction of arrows from the line VIII--VIII of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown an apparatus which is utilized to introduce labels 10 into an injection-molding machine 12. The labels 10 are preferably foils of synthetic plastic material and carry information which can be impressed into or imprinted on one or both surfaces of each label. The injection-molding machine 12 comprises a male die 110, a female die 11b, and pairs of horizontal upper and lower tie rods 43 along which one of the dies is movable toward and away from the other die. The manner in which the plasticized material is injected into the cavity when the mold includingv the dies 11a, 11b is closed is well known in the art and forms no part of the present invention. The foremost portion of the male die 11a is preferably provided with a recess A which is deep enough to accommodate one label 10 at a time.

The apparatus comprises a frame including horizontal guide means or ways 13 located at a level above and extending in parallelism with the longitudinal direction of the injectionmolding mrchine 12. A reciprocable carriage 14 which is guided by the ways 13 serves to support a magazine or source containing a stack 15 of labels 10 in such a way that the stack is located at a level below a transfer device 16 which is indirectly supported by the ways 13. The transfer device 16 is movable up and down so that it can enter the space between the dies 11a, 11b when the mold is open. The transfer device 16 is connectable with a suction-generating unit (not shown), for example, one including a fan which can cooperate with the device 16 to hold a label 10 by suction during transport from the stack 15 to the recess 11A of the male die 11a. The

transfer device 16 further cooperates with a source of compressed gas (preferably an air compressor, not shown) which serves to effect rapid deposition of a freshly transferred label into the recess 1 1A.

The displacing means for moving the transfer device 16 up and down comprises a double-acting hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 18 having a downwardly extending piston rod 17 the lower end of which carries and is separable from the transfer device. The cylinder 18 extends upwardly from and is mounted on a superstructure 20 which in turn is mounted on the ways 13 for the carriage 14. The superstructure 20 includes a horizontal platform 19 which is mounted at the upper ends of four uprights carried by the ways 13. The piston rod 17 is connected with a traverse 21 which supports an upwardly extending stroke-limiting carrier bar 22 slidable in a vertical guide sleeve 23 mounted on the platform 19. The upper and lower end portions of the rod 22 carry actuating rings or trips 24a, 24b which can engage microswitches 25a, 25b serving as signal-generating means for suitable valves (not shown) which regulate admission of a pressure medium into and evacuation of such medium from the upper and lower chambers of the double-acting cylinder 18. The trips 24a, 24b are adjustable so that the operators can change the strokes of the piston rod 17. The microswitches 25a, 25b are mounted on the superstructure 20. The manner in which the aforementioned valves regulate the flow of a pressure medium to and from the chambers of the cylinder 18 is well known; therefore, these valves, as well as the conduits and the source of pressurized medium, are not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The transfer device 16 comprises a double-acting inserting cylinder 26 which is indirectly carried by the lower end portion of the piston rod 17 so as to be pivotable about a horizontal pin 28 mounted in a bifurcated holder 27. The upper end of the holder 27 is directly connected to the lower end portion of the piston rod 17. The inserting cylinder 26 is connected with a lever 29 one end of which is pivotally secured to one end of a link 30. The other end of the link 30 is pivoted to the lower end of the piston rod of a double-acting tilting cylinder 31. The latter is affixed to the crosshead 21 and is parallel to the cylinder 18. The lower end portion of the piston rod of the inserting cylinder 26 carries a label-engaging member 32 here shown as a suction head which is pivotable in response to tilting of the cylinder 26 by the cylinder 31. Thus, the suction head 32 is movable along an arcuate path as indicated by arrows x and y and it is also movable up and down in response to admission of a pressure medium into the corresponding chamber of the cylinder 18 and/or 26. When tilted by the cylinder 31, the suction head 32 moves between a horizontal position (arrow x) and the illustrated vertical position (arrow y). When in vertical position, the suction head 32 can be lowered to engage the uppermost label 10 of the stack and to thereupon move to a higher level. When in horizontal position, the suction head 32 can insert a label 10 into the recess 11A ofthe male die 11a.

The orifices or openings 33 of the suction head 32 are located at a level below a metallic plate 34 which is secured to the body of the suction head 32 and serves as a means for electrostatically charging a label 10. The connection of the plate 34 to a nonillustrated electrostatic charging and discharging circuit of conventional design takes place automatically in predetermined positions of the suction head 32. The plate 34 is provided with equidistant parallel metallic pins or needles 36 whose tips extend toward but short of the plane of the orifices 33. The parts 34, 36 serve to electrostatically charge a label 10 prior to introduction into the recess 11A to thus insure that the charged label remains in an optimum position with reference to the mold during injection of plasticized material into the cavity defined by the dies 11a, 11b.

The carriage 14 is connected with the piston rod of a hydraulic shifting cylinder 39 which is mounted at one end of the ways 13. This carriage is mounted on distancing bars 40 meshing with a feed screw 41 which is provided with a crank handle 42 and can be rotated by hand to thereby move the ways 13 and the superstructure 20 laterally of the injectionmolding machine 12. This enables the operators to properly center or to otherwise locate the stack 15 of the transfer device 16 between the upper tie rods 43. Once the operators select an optimum position for the ways 13, the latter are fixed in such position by sleeves 44 on the feed screw 41. The ends of distancing bars 40 are mounted on brackets 45 which are connected to the upper tie rods 43 by clamping devices 71. The upper tie rods 43 are located in a common horizontal plane.

The source or magazine for the stack 15 of labels 10 is mounted on the carriage 14 at the upper ends of guide rods 46 which extend into guide sleeves 47 of a supporting plate 51. Springs 48 bias the stack 15 upwardly; these springs are of helical shape and surround certain guide rods 46 to react against the plate 51 and to bias the supporting panel 49 for the lowermost label of the stack 15. The panel 49 for the lowermost label 10 defines with upwardly extending rods 50 a space which confines the stack 15 but permits removal of the topmost label by the suction head 32.

The operation:

In the first step, the shifting cylinder 39 is actuated to move the carriage 14 and the stack 15 into the space below the transfer device 16 (arrow a), and more particularly below the suction head 32. The displacing cylinder 18 and/or inserting cylinder 26 thereupon causes the suction head 32 to move downwardly so that suction in the orifices 33 attracts the uppermost label 10 whereby such label rises above the remainder of the stack 15 when the cylinder 18 and/or 26 thereupon causes its piston rod to perform an upward stroke. The plate 34 is connected to a source of AC current when the cylinder 26 lowers the suction head 32 toward the stack 15 whereby the electrostatic charge of the labels in the stack 15 is destroyed so that the suction head 32 can readily separate and lift the topmost label 10. Thus, the plate 34 serves as a means for reducing adhesion between the labels of the stack 15. The suction head 32 is connected to the aforementioned suctiongenerating means not later than at the time when it approaches the uppermost label of the stack 15. As stated before, the cylinder 26 and/or 18 can slightly lift the suction head 32 when the latter engages and attracts a freshly removed label 10 to insure that the thus engaged and attracted label can readily clear the topmost label of the remainder of the stack 15.

Once the freshly removed label 10 is raised above and away from the stack 15, the plate 34 is connected to a source of high voltage electrical energy so that the label which is held by the suction head 32 is electrostatically charged. Such charging is preferably completed not later than at the time when the suction head 32 is lowered by displacing cylinder 18 to enter the gap between the dies 11a, 11b in open position of the injection-molding machine 12. The tilting cylinder 31 thereupon causes the suction head 32 to pivot in the direction indicated by arrow at and to assume a horizontal position in which the label 10 which is held by suction is in registry with the recess 11A of the male die 11a. In the next-following step, the cylinder 26 (which is held in horizontal position by the tilting cylinder 31) is caused to expel its piston rod and to thus move the suction head 32 toward the recess 11A (see the arrow 0). Since the thus-deposited label 10 is electrostatically charged, it adheres to the die 11a in an optimum position for attachment to or for incorporation into the article which is to be formed upon closing of the mold. The purpose of the recess 11A is to facilitate proper deposition and retention of labels 10 on the die 11a. The cylinder 18 thereupon returns the transfer device 16 to the illustrated upper end position so that the machine 12 can close its mold prior to admission of a plasticized charge into the mold cavity. It is clear that the cylinder 39 retracts the carriage 14 to the illustrated staring position (arrow b) before the cylinder 18 performs a downward stroke. A fresh cycle can begin as soon as the transfer device 16 returns to the upper end position, i.e., the carriage 14 then again advances the'stack 15 into alignment with the suction head 32 and the latter is caused to descend in order to remove the uppermost label from the stack 15.

The plate 34 insures that a properly charged label adheres to the male die 11a and retains its position during injection of plasticized material into 'the closed mold, even if the material is admitted in a highly plasticized state. This insures that the labels on each of a series of successively produced plastic products are held in optimum positions for observation by the potential customer or user.

In the structure of FIGS. 1 and 2, the injection-molding machine 12 constitutes a receiving means for accepting labels 10 from the label-engaging suction head 32 of the transfer device.

The apparatus of FIGS. 3 and 4 constitutes a modification of the just-described apparatus. All such parts which are clearly analogous to the aforedescribed parts 'are denoted by similar reference characters. The main or primary transfer device of the machine shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 comprises a suction head here shown as a drum 52 which is provided with ducts or orifices 52a and serves to introduce rolled-up labels 10 into the cavity 53 of a female die 37b forming part of a modified injection-molding machine 12'. The male die is shown at 37a. The suction head 52 is receivable with minimal clearance in the cavity 53 of thefemale die 37b. The axis of this cavity is normal to the piston rod 17.

The orifices 52a of the drum 52 can be connected to a suction-generating device or to a source of compressed gas. An arm 56 connects the suction head 52 with horizontal rods 72 which are fixed to the piston rod'54 of a horizontal inserting cylinder 55. The latter is connected to the lower end of the piston rod 17 of the displacing cylinder 18. The arm 56 is located in a vertical plane whichis parallel to the horizontal axis of the injection-molding machine 12 and is inclined downwardly at an acute angle to the guide rods 72 and piston 54. Such mounting of the arm 56 enables the inserting cylinder 55 to introduce the suction head 52 into the cavity 53 when the piston rod 17 is moved to its lower end position so that the suction head is located between the dies 37a, 37b. In its upper end position, the suction head 52 is located at a level above a rolling or draping unit 57 which is separably and adjustably mounted on the front end portion of the carriage 14. The unit 57 constitutes a support for labels 10 which are to be transported by the suction head 52.

FIGS. 6 to 8 illustrate certain details of the suction head 52. The latter is provided with an axially extending blind bore 80 for the conductors of a cable 81 for high voltage electric current. The front portion of the cable 81 extends outwardly through a radial bore 82 of the suction head 52. From there, the cable 81 extends into circumferential grooves 83, 84 of the suction head 52. The end portions or needles 85 of the conductors are bent radially outwardly and are equidistant from each other. The two outermost rows of end portions 85 are located at the same distance from the circumferential grooves 83, 84, respectively. The circumferential grooves 83, 84 are connected to each other by two axially parallel grooves 86, 87 of identical cross-sectional area. The grooves 86, 87 permit the conductors of the cable 81 to extend between the grooves 83, 84. A properly draped label 10 overlies the circumferential grooves 83, 84 of the suction head 52. The arrangement is such that the conductors of the cable 81 are connected to a source of high voltage low strength current before a label 10 is draped around the peripheral surface of the suction head 52. This results in collapse of the electrostatic field, i.e., the suction head is then free of an electrostatic charge and the label which is draped therearound is held only by suction. Once the suction head 52 is introduced into the cavity 53, the label 10 thereon is electrostatically charged by DC current so that the thus-charged label adheres to the surface surrounding the cavity 53 when the head 52 is separated therefrom by jets of compressed gas issuing from orifices 52a.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 5a, 5b and 5c, the draping unit 57 comprises two rollers 58 which are overlapped by the median portion of a flexible apron 59. The ends of the apron 59 are attached to slidable sleeves 60 which are reciprocable along horizontal guide rods 61. These rods are mounted in blocks 62 and are surrounded by helical springs 63 which react against the blocks 62 and bias the sleeves 60 away from each other to thereby flatten and tension the apron 59. Two draping members or pushers 64 are pivotally mounted at a levelabove the apron 59 so as to flank the rollers 58. The pivots for the pushers 64 are shown at 65; these pivots are provided at the respective ends of the apron 59 and the latters width corresponds to that of the pushers 64. When the apron 59 is in fully extended condition ,(FIG. 5a), the inner edges of the pushers 64 are outwardly adjacent to the adjoining rollers 58.

The distancebetween the draping unit 57 and the stack 15 in the magazine on the carriage 14 corresponds to the distance between the cylinder 18 and'a stationary double-acting displacing cylinder 66 whose downwardly extending piston rod carries a second article-engaging member or suction head 67 having orifices 68. A metallic conductor plate 69 which is affixed to the suction head 67 has downwardly extending pins or needles 70 performing the same function as the needles 36 of the conductor plate 34 shown in FIG. 1. The suction head 67 is the functional equivalent of the suction head 32; its purpose is to lift the uppermost labels 10 off the stack 15 in the magazine on the carriage 14 and to deposit such labels onto the apron 59 of the draping unit 57. The suction head 67 is also connectable with a suction-generating device or with a source of compressed gas. The parts 66-70 constitute a second transfer device which serves to deliver labels 10 from the magazine on the carriage 14 to the draping unit or source 57.

The operation of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 3 to 8 is as follows:

When the carriage l4 dwells in the position shown in FIG. 3, the piston rod of the fixed double-acting displacing cylinder 66 is caused to perform a downward stroke and the suction head 67 destroys the electrostatic charge of the stack 15 prior to lifting the topmost label 10 sufficiently to permit unimpeded transport of the carriage 14 with reference to the cylinder 66. The carriage. 14 thereby advances the draping unit 57 into registry with the suction head 67 (arrow b). The cylinder 66 then lowers the suction head 67 and the latters orifices 68 are connected to the source of compressed gas so that the label 10 is deposited on the upper side of the apron 59 while the latter assumes the position shown in FIG. 5a. The suction head 67 is then lifted and the cylinder 39 returns the carriagel4 to the position shown in FIG. 3 (arrow 11) so that thedraping unit 57 is located below the suction head 52. The stack 15 is then again located below the suction head 67.

In the next step, the cylinder 18 causes the piston rod 17 to move the suction head 52 downwardly whereby the peripheral surface of the suction head engages the label 10 on the apron 59 and pushes the median portion of the apron downwardly into the space between the rollers 58 (see FIG. 5b). Thus, the springs 63 yield and the sleeves 60 travel along the guide rods 61 toward each other. The median portion of the apron 59 applies the major part of the label 10 around the peripheral surface of the suction head 52. The marginal portions of the label 10 are draped around the upper part of peripheral surface on the suction head 52 by theinner edges of the pushers 64 in a manner as shown in FIG. 5c. The orifices 52a are connected to the suction-generating device so that the label 10 adheres to the suction head 52 while the latter moves upwardly to permit expansion of springs 63 whereby the apron 59 reassumes the position shown in FIG. 3. In the meantime, the suction head 67 has lifted the topmost label 10 off the stack 15 and the carriage 14 then moves in the direction indicated by arrow b to move the draping unit 57 into registry with the suction head 67. Thus, the draping unit 57 is moved out of the way and the cylinder 18 can cause its piston rod 17 to lower the suction head 52 (with a label 10 applied to its peripheral surface) into the space between the dies 37a, 37b. The cylinder 55 then causes its piston rod 54 to move the suction head 52 into the cavity 53 and the orifices 520 are connected to the source of compressed gas so that the rolled label 10 is transferred to the internal surface of the female die 37b. The peripheral surface of the suction head 52 and the surface surrounding the cavity 53 are of slightly conical outline. The injection-molding machine 12 closes its mold and injects plasticized material into the cavity 53 as soon as the cylinder 18 causes the piston rod 17 to lift the suction head 52 above the path of movement of the movable die.

The system which programs the operation of various cylinders and movements of the movable die in the machine 12 or 12' is of known design and, therefore, its details are not shown in the drawing. it suffices to say that the operation of all movable parts is programmed so that the apparatus can transfer labels in a fully automatic way. The supply of labels 10 in the magazine on the carriage l4 (stack is replenished from time to time, either by hand or by resorting to an automatic feeding device.

It is clear that the improved apparatus is susceptible of many modifications without departing from the spirit of our invention. For example, the apparatus can be used for transport and insertion of other types of articles, such as bearing rings or sleeves consisting of metallic or plastic material. All that is necessary is to employ an appropriate transfer device and modified displacing, inserting and/or tilting means for moving the article-engaging member or members to and from the stack and into and from a position for insertion or application of transferred articles into an injection-molding machine or the like. The articles can be introduced into a machine in such a way that they are applied to internal or external surfaces of injection-molded products or that they are fully embedded in the material of a product, for example, to enhance its strength or to insure that the information on the blank is not exposed and cannot be removed if such article is embedded into a light-transmitting plastic material. The suction head 52 may be of cylindrical shape. Also, the labels 10 need not be fully draped around the periphery of the suction head 52, as long as they are deformed to the extent which is necessary for introduction into the cavity 53.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features which fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of our contribution to the art.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:

1. Apparatus for manipulating discrete articles, particularly for introducing labels into machines for the production of plastic products, comprising a carriage; shifting means for moving said carriage between several positions; a source of articles supported by said carriage; a transfer device including an article-engaging member which is aligned with said source in one position of said carriage, and displacing means for moving said member with reference to said carriage so that the member can remove articles from said source in the one position of said carriage; and receiving means for accepting articles from said member in another position of said carriage.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said carriage is reciprocable along a substantially horizontal path and wherein said article-engaging member is movable along a substantially vertical path.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said transfer device further comprises suction-generating means cooperating with said article-engaging member to hold an article against movement with reference to said member during transport from said source to said receiving means, and a source of compressed gas arranged to segregate articles from said member at said receiving means.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said displacing means comprises a fluid-operated cylinder having a piston rod operatively connected with said member.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said cylinder is double acting and wherein said piston rod is vertical and said member is separably secured to the lower end of said piston rod, and further comprising frame means supporting said carriage and said cylinder.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said cylinder is double-acting and wherein said displacing means further comprises means for limiting the strokes of said piston rod.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said means for limiting the strokes of said piston rod comprises a carrier rigid with said piston rod, trips provided on said carrier, and signalgenerating devices adjacent to the path of movement of and actuatable by said trips, said signal-generating devices being arranged to regulate the flow of a pressurized medium to and from said cylinder.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 4, further comprising connecting means for coupling said piston rod with said articleengaging member, including a second cylinder articulately connected to said piston rod and having a reciprocable portion connected with said member.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said connecting means further comprises a holder securing said second cylinder to said piston rod for movement about an axis which is normal to the axis of said first-mentioned cylinder.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said transfer device further comprises tilting means for pivoting said second cylinder with reference to said piston rod.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said tilting means comprises a double-acting cylinder having a piston rod, and a linkage articulately connecting said last-mentioned piston rod to said second cylinder.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the piston rod of said first-mentioned cylinder is vertical and wherein said tilting means is arranged to pivot said second cylinder between horizontal and vertical positions.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said article-engaging member is a suction head.

14. Apparatus for manipulating discrete articles, particularly for introducing labels into machines for the production of plastic products, comprising a carriage; shifting means for moving said carriage between several positions; a support for articles mounted on said carriage; a transfer device including an article-engaging member which is aligned with said support in one position of said carriage, and displacing means for moving said member with reference to said carriage so that the member can remove an article from said support in the one position of said carriage; and receiving means for accepting articles from said member in another position of said carriage.

15. Apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein said receiving means comprises a portion defining an article-accommodating cavity having an axis extending substantially at right angles to the direction of movement of said article-engaging member under the action of said displacing means.

16. Apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein said articleengaging member is movably secured to said displacing means and extends substantially at right angles to the direction of its movement under the action of said displacing means.

17. Apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein said displacing means comprises a double-acting cylinder having a piston rod and wherein said transfer device further comprises a second double-acting cylinder connecting said article-engaging member with said piston rod.

18. Apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein said transfer device further comprises an elongated arm connecting said second double-acting cylinder with said article-engaging member and inclined with reference to the axis of said second cylinder.

19. Apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein said articleengaging member has an endless peripheral surface provided with suction orifices.

20. Apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein said support is a draping device including means for draping flexible articles around the peripheral surface of said article-engaging member.

21. Apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein said transfer device further comprises means for electrostatically charging articles held by said article-engaging member.

22. Apparatus as defined in claim 14, further comprising means for electrostatically charging articles held by said member, said charging means comprising conductor means having portions accommodated in external groove means of said member.

23. Apparatus as defined in claim 22, wherein said groove means is provided in that portion of said member which is overlapped by an article during transport of the article to said receiving means.

24. Apparatus as defined in claim 14, further comprising a source of articles, said source being provided on said carriages, and a second transfer device for transporting articles from said source to said support.

25. Apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein said second transfer device respectively registers with said support and with said source in the one and other positions of said carriage.

26. Apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein said second transfer device comprises a suction head and displacing means for moving said suction head with reference to said carriage.

27. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said article-engaging member is a suction head having a plurality of orifices and further comprising means for electrostatically charging articles held by said suction head, including conductor means mounted on said suction head and having projections extending close to said orifices.

28. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said shifting means comprises a double-acting cylinder means and further comprising fixed guide means for said carriage.

29. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for adjusting said carriage and said transfer device with reference to said receiving means.

30. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said receiving means comprises horizontal tie rods and further comprising frame means secured to said tie rods and supporting said carriage and said transfer device.

31. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said source includes a magazine and means yieldably supporting said magazine on said carriage. 

1. Apparatus for manipulating discrete articles, particularly for introducing labels into machines for the production of plastic products, comprising a carriage; shifting means for moving said carriage between several positions; a source of articles supported by said carriage; a transfer device including an article-engaging member which is aligned with said source in one position of said carriage, and displacing means for moving said member with reference to said carriage so that the member can remove articles from said source in the one position of said carriage; and receiving means for accepting articles from said member in another position of said carriage.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said carriage is reciprocable along a substantially horizontal path and wherein said article-engaging member is movable along a substantially vertical path.
 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said transfer device further comprises suction-generating means cooperating with said article-engaging member to hold an article against movement with reference to said member during transport from said source to said receiving means, and a source of compressed gas arranged to segregate articles from said member at said receiving means.
 4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said displacing means comprises a fluid-operated cylinder having a piston rod operatively connected with said member.
 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said cylinder is double acting and wherein said piston rod is vertical and said member is separably secured to the lower end of said piston rod, and further comprising frame means supporting said carriage and said cylinder.
 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said cylinder is double-acting and wherein said displacing means further comprises means for limiting the strokes of said piston rod.
 7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said means for limiting the strokes of said piston rod comprises a carrier rigid with said piston rod, trips provided on said carrier, and signal-generating devices adjacent to the path of movement of and actuatable by said trips, said signal-generating devices being arranged to regulate the flow of a pressurized medium to and from said cylinder.
 8. Apparatus as defined in claim 4, further comprising connecting means for coupling said piston rod with said article-engaging member, including a second cylinder articulately connected to said piston rod and having a reciprocable portion connected with said member.
 9. Apparatus As defined in claim 8, wherein said connecting means further comprises a holder securing said second cylinder to said piston rod for movement about an axis which is normal to the axis of said first-mentioned cylinder.
 10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said transfer device further comprises tilting means for pivoting said second cylinder with reference to said piston rod.
 11. Apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said tilting means comprises a double-acting cylinder having a piston rod, and a linkage articulately connecting said last-mentioned piston rod to said second cylinder.
 12. Apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the piston rod of said first-mentioned cylinder is vertical and wherein said tilting means is arranged to pivot said second cylinder between horizontal and vertical positions.
 13. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said article-engaging member is a suction head.
 14. Apparatus for manipulating discrete articles, particularly for introducing labels into machines for the production of plastic products, comprising a carriage; shifting means for moving said carriage between several positions; a support for articles mounted on said carriage; a transfer device including an article-engaging member which is aligned with said support in one position of said carriage, and displacing means for moving said member with reference to said carriage so that the member can remove an article from said support in the one position of said carriage; and receiving means for accepting articles from said member in another position of said carriage.
 15. Apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein said receiving means comprises a portion defining an article-accommodating cavity having an axis extending substantially at right angles to the direction of movement of said article-engaging member under the action of said displacing means.
 16. Apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein said article-engaging member is movably secured to said displacing means and extends substantially at right angles to the direction of its movement under the action of said displacing means.
 17. Apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein said displacing means comprises a double-acting cylinder having a piston rod and wherein said transfer device further comprises a second double-acting cylinder connecting said article-engaging member with said piston rod.
 18. Apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein said transfer device further comprises an elongated arm connecting said second double-acting cylinder with said article-engaging member and inclined with reference to the axis of said second cylinder.
 19. Apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein said article-engaging member has an endless peripheral surface provided with suction orifices.
 20. Apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein said support is a draping device including means for draping flexible articles around the peripheral surface of said article-engaging member.
 21. Apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein said transfer device further comprises means for electrostatically charging articles held by said article-engaging member.
 22. Apparatus as defined in claim 14, further comprising means for electrostatically charging articles held by said member, said charging means comprising conductor means having portions accommodated in external groove means of said member.
 23. Apparatus as defined in claim 22, wherein said groove means is provided in that portion of said member which is overlapped by an article during transport of the article to said receiving means.
 24. Apparatus as defined in claim 14, further comprising a source of articles, said source being provided on said carriages, and a second transfer device for transporting articles from said source to said support.
 25. Apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein said second transfer device respectively registers with said support and with said source in the one and other positions of said carriage.
 26. ApParatus as defined in claim 24, wherein said second transfer device comprises a suction head and displacing means for moving said suction head with reference to said carriage.
 27. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said article-engaging member is a suction head having a plurality of orifices and further comprising means for electrostatically charging articles held by said suction head, including conductor means mounted on said suction head and having projections extending close to said orifices.
 28. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said shifting means comprises a double-acting cylinder means and further comprising fixed guide means for said carriage.
 29. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for adjusting said carriage and said transfer device with reference to said receiving means.
 30. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said receiving means comprises horizontal tie rods and further comprising frame means secured to said tie rods and supporting said carriage and said transfer device.
 31. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said source includes a magazine and means yieldably supporting said magazine on said carriage. 